This study was designed to analyze some of the services offered by Illinois libraries serving populations of fewer than 2,500, particularly in terms of how they operate and which circulation services are used most frequently. A questionnaire was mailed to 192 libraries, with 131 or 68.2% returning usable responses. Among the general findings: (1) most rural libraries were part of a regional system that could provide aid to them; (2) 58% of Illinois rural libraries served populations of 1,501 or fewer; (3) 25.9% of Illinois rural libraries operate on an annual budget of less than $12,001; (4) the amount of the budget devoted to purchase and upkeep of both reference materials and library equipment varies; (5) hours of operation range from 5 to 75 hours per week, with the average being 26.1; (6) the most popular services (with the exception of the circulation of books and periodicals) were (in this order): interlibrary loan, photocopier, large print materials, videocassettes, and books on audiocassette. Results may be slightly skewed by a small concentration of libraries in a rural but wealthy standard metropolitan area, but otherwise the study demonstrates the impact of library budget on all aspects of services. A copy of the survey and cover letter are appended. (BEW)